Directed by: John Cameron Mitchell
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Aaron Eckhart, Dianne Wiest, Tammy Blanchard
Screenplay by: David Lindsay-Abaire, James Vanderbilt
Release Date: December 17th, 2010
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material, some drug use and language.
Box Office: $2,221,810 (US total)
Distributor: Fox Searchlight Pictures
The story, which David Lindsay-Abaire adapted from his own stage play, traces the life of a happily married couple that is disrupted by an unexpected tragedy and the emotional journey they must undertake to regain happiness.
Becca (Nicole Kidman) and Howie Corbett (Aaron Eckhart) mourn the death of their 4-year-old son Danny who was killed in a car accident when he ran out into the street after his dog. Becca wants to give away Danny's clothes, remove Danny's things, and sell their house, but Howie is angry at Becca's elimination of anything that reminds them of Danny. Howie also wants to resume sexual relations with Becca and have another child, but Becca rejects his advances.
Becca's mother (Dianne Wiest) compares herself with Becca as she lost a 30-year-old son due to drug overdose. Becca states the two deaths are not comparable but eventually realizes their grief is the same and will never stop. Becca's sister, Izzy (Tammy Blanchard), is pregnant, and Becca keeps giving Izzy advice about becoming a mother, which Izzy resents.
Becca and Howie attend a self-help group, but Becca is irritated by some members of the group, particularly by one couple who attribute their child's death to God's will. Howie continues to attend the meetings without Becca, and he and long-time member Gabby (Sandra Oh) almost begin an affair. However, Howie backs out of it.
Meanwhile, Becca starts meeting with Jason (Miles Teller), the teenage driver of the car that hit Danny. She discovers he feels guilty and tells him she does not blame him for the accident. Jason tells her about a comic book he is writing called "Rabbit Hole", which is about parallel universes, and gives it to Becca to read who thinks it is wonderful. Howie does not like Becca meeting Jason.
Howie and Becca start to have new activities, such as bowling and playing games, and they start to accept their son's death. Howie and Becca decide to have a garden lunch. The scene begins with Howie telling Becca how the lunch would take place, while simultaneously the screen fades into the lunch as Howie continues to speak in the background. The movie ends with Becca and Howie sitting in their garden alone holding hands after all their guests have left.
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